Puppy Vaccination Schedule in India: A Month-by-Month Guide

A puppy's first four months decide how well protected it will be for the rest of its life. Maternal antibodies fade somewhere between 6 and 16 weeks, and the exact week differs per puppy — which is why vaccines are given as a series rather than one shot.

The core schedule

6–8 weeks: first DHPPi (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza). 10–12 weeks: second DHPPi, usually with leptospirosis. 14–16 weeks: third DHPPi and the first anti-rabies vaccine. Then a booster for everything at 12 months, and annually after that.

Why parvo matters more here

Canine parvovirus is endemic across India and survives in soil for months. A puppy that has had only one shot is not protected. Until the third dose is done, keep the puppy off streets, parks and any ground where unvaccinated dogs walk — carrying it outside for socialisation is fine, letting it sniff the pavement is not.

If you miss a dose

Do not restart the series. Continue from where you stopped, as soon as you can. A gap longer than about six weeks may mean your vet advises an extra dose to be safe.

Rabies is a legal matter, not just a medical one

India accounts for a large share of the world's human rabies deaths, and most municipal bodies require dogs to hold a current anti-rabies certificate. Keep the card — you will need it for boarding, travel and licensing.